Terminal for a capacitor and a method of forming same

Abstract

A terminal (2) for a capacitor (1) is formed by making a first fold A (90 degrees) in a metal strip; making a second fold B (180 degrees) in the strip; and making a third fold C (45 degrees) in the strip at an oblique angle to a lateral edge of the strip so that one end of the terminal (2) is laterally spaced from an edge of said strip.

Having described the invention what is claimed is: 
     
       1. In combination with a capacitor of the type having a plurality of layers of foil and insulation wound to form a capacitor and at least one electrically conductive strip projecting beyond an edge of the layers of foil to provide a connecting terminal to an electrical conductor, the improvement wherein said terminal further comprises; a first fold in said strip in the direction of one of said outside surfaces of said capacitor;   a second fold in said strip in a direction toward another portion of the outside surface of said capacitor; and   a third fold at an oblique angle to an edge of said strip.   
     
     
       2. The combination as recited in claim 1 wherein the second fold is in the direction opposite of that of said first fold. 
     
     
       3. The combination as recited in claim 1 or 2 wherein one end of the strip extends beyond the lateral edges of said first and second folds. 
     
     
       4. The combination as recited in claim 1 wherein the first fold is a 90 degree bend, the second fold is a 180 degree bend and the third fold is a 45 degree bend. 
     
     
       5. A method of forming a terminal from one end of an electrically conductive strip connected to a foil capacitor comprising the steps: folding the strip in a direction of one of the surfaces of said capacitor;   folding the strip in a direction of another portion of the outside surface of said capacitor; and   folding the strip at an oblique angle to an edge of said strip so that one end of said strip is spaced from said folds.   
     
     
       6. The method as recited in claim 5 wherein the first fold is a 90 degree bend, the second fold is a 180 degree bend and the third fold is a 45 degree bend. 
     
     
       7. A method of forming a terminal from one end of an electrically conductive strip connected to a foil capacitor comprising the steps: making a plurality of folds in the strip in opposite directions of each other; and   making an additional fold in a strip at an oblique angle to a lateral edge of said strip so that one end of said terminal is spaced from said folds.   
     
     
       8. The method as recited in claim 5 or 7 including the step of: soldering a conductor to the under side of the end of said strip.